Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy Opens Dec. 3 and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

THE BROADWAY HIT
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy
Created and Directed by Neil Goldberg
Opens December 3 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, Fla. (November 2010) – A groundbreaking theatrical, acrobatic and musical adventure is coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this winter for a limited engagement.

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy will open December 3 in Busch Gardens ’ Moroccan Palace Theater.  Created and directed by renowned theatrical and circus impresario Neil Goldberg, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is an exotic encounter inspired by nature’s unpredictable creations, brought to life by an international cast of soaring aerialists, spine-bending contortionists, acrobats, jugglers and musicians.

The astounding feats performed in this action-packed Cirque Dream are enhanced by spectacular costumes, which were nominated for an American Theatre Wing Best Costume Design Award. The journey comes to life in a fantastical jungle setting filled with flora and fauna that inspire a variety of endless imagination. From the Butterfly Ballet and Flipping Monkeys to the Hopping Frog Jugglers and Stretching Lizards, this world-class explosion of athleticism and Broadway theatrics will exhilarate and entertain audiences of all ages.

“Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy will bring to audiences what fans have come to love and expect from Busch Gardens -- incredible stage shows, the likes of which cannot be found at any other theme park in the nation,” said Busch Gardens ’ president Jim Dean.

“ Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has set the bar high with quality entertainment productions in the past, which compliments my passion and the global expansion of our Cirque Dreams Brand,” said creator Neil Goldberg. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy has accomplished one groundbreaking feat after another and will do so again when presenting this caliber show in partnership with Busch Gardens .”

The Broadway storyline will remain intact in the Busch Gardens ’ rendition of the show. The lead character, Mother Nature, leads her Jungle Boys through an adventure of sound, light and movement. The vibrant jungle first comes to life with award-winning costumes, then transcends imagination. Some highlights include artists trained at the State School of Contortion in Mongolia reenacting flexible lizards; rhythmic jugglers from Cuba and Russia portraying frog musicians, and manipulation and aerialists from Russia , Ukraine and Uzbekistan soaring as butterflies displaying feats beyond belief. All this and more added to Cirque Dreams signature production style, original score and whimsical audience participation will make Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy a feast for the senses and a wild entertainment experience at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay .

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy debuted at the Broadway Theatre in June 2008 and is the first and only show of its kind to ever perform on Broadway.  The show again gained critical acclaim when Debbie Gibson, 1980’s pop icon, recently performed the leading role of Mother Nature at the MGM Grand Theatre, Foxwoods , Connecticut .  Neil Goldberg's creations according to the Chicago Tribune are “Brilliantly conceived entertainment for multiple generations, fused with fresh, clever, Goldberg Touches.” Goldberg’s brand of Cirque Dreams entertainment also includes international touring sensations Cirque Dreams Illumination, Cirque Dreams Pandemonia, Cirque Dreams Coobrila, Cirque Ingenieux, and the first show of its kind at sea…Cirque Dreams & Dinner on board the Norwegian EPIC. Cirque Dreams Holidaze will tour the US this holiday season with a prestigious week-long engagement at the Kennedy Center . More than 20 million fans have attended a Cirque Dreams show throughout the U.S. and abroad in the past five years.